1km

One kilometer. That was the the race distance that I entered into during last Sunday's Adination 5th Week Race. It was a relay event which featured 5 members who have to run 1km each while passing a baton to signify that the next runner will go next.

To a novice runner they would think, hey that ain't too far. It will be easy! But easy was something that was far from it. These short races like the 3k and 5k are actually tests of speed and pain management. It hurts a lot to be going so fast, but you need to since the distance is so short.

I entered this race with the Alabang Snail Runners. I believed our team had what it takes to win and I know each one gave it their all during that race.

This picture here signifies the calm before the storm.

I was up first in our relay team. As we got to the starting line your really hear and feel the excitement everywhere.People we cheering so loudly that it began to sound like an orchestra of musicians somehow. All I know is that somehow in those last 20 seconds til gun start I closed my eyes and took in all this energy and focused it on the task at hand.

And finally when I heard the gun fire. It was a strategic all out pace from here. 

If there was something I have learned from all may races its that patience is key to everything. When we went off I noticed that these runners are going way too fast. It was as if they were only going to be doing a 300 meter - 400 meter sprint. So I let them do their thing.

Once we made our first turn and finally go to the straight portion of the route. I made my move. At this point I was actually in last place. But this was the time that I saw these people exhausted everything they had over the first 400 meters and those last 600 meters, I knew would feel like an eternity with the energy they had left in the tank. So now it was my turn.

I shifted into 5th gear at this point and actually made it to a top speed of 28kph. I am still in shock up to now that I got to go that fast. I zoomed by all the participants, but all that one who was in front of me. He was a UP varsity player of some sorts but I was never sure. All I knew is he looked like running was something he must have done EVERYDAY since he was born.

I was actually gaining up on him but noticed that I too was fading a bit from this 1km sprint. Good thing though I had my team mates pace me through this run and cheer me on. It really does do help having people push your further. I must have had 5 guys screaming at me while I was in such pain while running. But I knew I had to this and this is something I have trained for.

I finished with a time of 3:09 and was actually able to catch up to the first guy who only had a split of about +3 secs ahead of me. Not bad I think for a triathlete chasing after a varsity runner right? lol

Overall our team finished at third and we are proud to say that yes we did our best and yes we are ANR Alabang Snail Runners

Training log # 2 - Training Longer Distances on the Run

Long distance running is something that I believe I have not yet fully conquered. My farthest run was only about 32kms and this was only done once. Now in my journey to doing my first marathon on (March 20, 2011) I am seeking out to become much more comfortable running in these long distances.

I have always been a short distance guy. When I started running , I realized early on that I was very strong at 5kms and 10kms, and each time I get past the 10km mark I started to die down. Thankfully though as time has progressed I have strengthened this part of my game but now only til 21kms. Again after this mark, I feel like I am entering no man's land.

Today though I have been working on improving this as I set out to do a 27km run. These long runs are really long and sometimes I still don't know what to expect from them. I'm scared that if I bonk out I might not get home or get too lazy and just walk back. While on other times I feel like I zoom past them like a breeze. Luckily today was one of those "breezy" days.

I did my long run at one of the most steepest and hilliest routes there are here in the south of Manila. Trucks and tricycles have the hardest times climbing these hills and well I'm proud to have survived them especially during a long run.

Basically today was a good day. Cheers to that! Lets hope for the sub 1:50 Half-Marathon next week.

Training Log #1 - Regaining my legs back.

I'm pretty happy today cause I feel like I'm finally beginning to gain my legs back. After last Saturday's horrific 7km run where I was really draggy, this made me feel so much better. I've been fretting a bit since the Condura 21km race is coming up and I was hoping to do a sub 1:50 here.

I just hope I can get into great condition for these last two weeks. I've really been working hard and I'd really hate to waste this opportunity because I got sick last week. But well what ever happens it will always be a lesson, may it be good or bad. But for today, I am just glad I have my legs back.

The First Century Bike Ride, KM Version

My team and I had a long bike ride over the weekend from Muntinlupa until Ternate. This was about a 140km ride back and forth. When I began thinking about it, the 70kms going there and back isn't really that far. Last year I already went for an 80km bike ride so it wasn't that daunting when I looked back at that experience.



Our bike ride started at 6AM. Through out our ride I popped two interior tires and pierced one exterior tire due to the rocks that were on the road. But besides that, everything went quite fine.

The hardest part of the bike ride were the last 20kms. At this point we were to climb a mountain called Mt. Palay Palay and then after descend our way down to the beach.

We reached a peak elevation of 340 Meters above sea level. Those roads will not soon be forgotten from my memories for they were treacherous. At one point we were barely going 10km/h and I climbed that mountain with the lowest gears I had.

Once we got down and finally reached our destination. We had a picturesque beach to relax in and had lunch. Funniest thing, lunch was more like a no talking zone cause everyone was just so hungry already.

After lunch we had a short swim and then we were off again to do our bike ride back home. We started at around 3pm which was not ideal at all since we had a lot of road to cover. The ride back up that mountain too was still as unforgiving as the first time we did it, it left us breathless the same way J-lo would if she gave me a kiss. lol

At about 6pm we were about 20kms to our starting point but then it was already pitch black. This night bike ride experience was one of the most dangerous experiences I have ever had. We were biking at pitch black and the only light that we get is if a car passes by about a two feet beside us, since we were in such a small road. It was honestly crazy, but at this point we were already in survival mode just to get back. Those last few kilometers, I believe we were being taken cared of by someone up above cause I honestly believe I shouldn't have survived that.

Thankfully, at the end of the day everyone was home safe. Next time though I'm planning to have a much more organized and prepared bike ride with the team. This should be something we take into consideration the next time around

The Main Character - The Man Behind the Keyboard

I find that searching through blogs, people sometimes like to see what was this writer's first ever entry. I would like to start out by introducing the main character for the stories you will be reading whom is me.

My name is Elmer J. Ching III and go by the nick name of "Jake". I have been doing triathlons for over six months now, but have been running for two years.

My goal is simple. To win an Iron Man age group one day. May it be in a 30-34 age group or 70 and over age group. I will win it one day. That is my dream and I am going to seek out to make it happen.

The reason though why I am making this blog, is not for fame, sponsorship, or what not. I hope that this will serve as a memoir or a journal of some sort that I can always come back to one day. A friend told me that this will be on heck of a journey and it would be best if I can find ways in sharing this experience.

So don't expect any race reviews, gadget reviews, give aways etc. A little narcissist but this is going to be all about me, this is my story and I'm here to tell it.